The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-04-14


ing at some point on the line, but seldom at all
points at the same time. It was q case OF south
ern dash against northern pluck and endurance.
Gen w T. Sherman, in his memoirs, says:
1t was publicly asserted at the north that our
army was taken completely by surprise; that the
rebels caught us in our tents; bayonetted the
men in their beds that Gen Grant was drunk
that Buel's opportune arrival saved the Army OF
the Tennessee from utter annihilation; etc 1neSe
reports were, in a measure. sustained by the pub
lshed opinions OF Gems. Buell., Nelson and others,
who had reached the steamboat landing from the
crowd OF frightened, stampeded men who clam
Ored and declared that our army was al de-
Grant, who with his stan visited me
about 10 a. m. on the 9th, when we were des;
the headlong assault Of the enemy and then
held our ground He told me that on his way up
from Crump's landing he had ordered Lew Wal
lAce's division to cross Snake creek, as to
come up on my right He also came again Just
by the rebels at the rayine near the steamboat
landing, which he had repealed by heavy bat
tFJ 1oiiec. III unoer - ~ ,nt t battIs vas
over for that day. He ordered me to be ready TO
assume me odensYe IN tne InoGh9' sa{ as ris
OF the battle, both sides seemed defeated, and
whoever assumed the offensive was sure 70 WIN
1t Is undoubtedly true that the attack on
the raw troops produced panic. which more
or less infected other commands, but when the
real death grapple occurred with veterans
like those of Wallace, Hurlbut and McCler-
nard, the splendid men from Indiana, ILL
nOlS, Iowa ana eESSWISf6 IN the NcSJs WIZ
had been hardened in the service, the des-
perate resistance that was made and the
varying fortunes of the fight demonstrated
that the unexpected assault was not neces-
of the ground, the frequently disordered lines
and shifting positions Of the day, make it I'M
possible TO present here more than a pam
oramic view Of the battle.
THE BATTLE.
Staver's brigade of Hindman's division first
crossed lances with that of Prentiss, while
Gen. Hindman in person with Woods brigade,
struck the Fifty-third Ohio, Col Appler, the
extreme left of Sherman, which was posted
on the left of Shiloh church Cleburne's
brigade attacked auckland, and Hildebrand
joining in the fray, it became fierce blow
for blow along the entire front. Though men
on both sides fell like chaff, the broken ranks
continued to rally until the weaker went
down to stay. HiIdebrand's brigade retired
in disorder, but part of Shermans position
was on q steep and bushy slope that COM
manded the Doggy bottom or valley OF Oak
creek, and this was occupied by the brigade
of Col. auckland with his men from Ohio.
Here occurred one of the ugliest contests Of
the morning. The ConfederateS charged by
brigades, regiments and fragments Of battal-
ions Grape, canister, shell, round shot and
mimic balls swept the place like q torrid
simeon Whole ranks crumbled before the
pitiless Pelting Of the iron rain; the ground
was covered with the dead and wounded, and
more were falling every second The braS-
est, staggered by the red hot tempest, reeled
to and fro ike q ship battling with 9 gale,
but still holding on its way. Even the man.
gled men upon the ground, bleeding and
agoni1ed with pain, uttered their feeble
words Of encouragement: go on, boys, don't
mind us-take care Of the old hagI" The
stern, pale faces OF the survivors would turn
towards the officers as if to read their fate.
but no voice could be heard In such storm,
and the sword alone pointed out the path Of
duty. Then with teeth set, lips compressed
and fiery valor at white heat, they would
close up the gaping ranks and fight on
Truly, this was as somebody described it,
"a valley Of death, - and no spectacle Of sub
Inner courage was ever presented in any
country where soldiers have stood @in the
dark shadow y